How to over winter tuberous begonias
How to overwinter begonias: with advice from the experts
(Image credit: Alamy)
As you prepare the garden for the winter you might think your gardening tasks are over for the year. However, if you’ve enjoyed colorful begonia blooms all summer, learning how to overwinter begonias should be a priority in fall.
It’s easy to overwinter begonias to provide color next summer. All it takes is a little space, a bit of care and some good advice from garden experts, who share their tips on how to overwinter begonias below.
Make sure planning ahead for the next growing season is on your list of garden ideas.
So alongside planting your winter hanging baskets and thinking about how to plant bulbs and other winter garden ideas, take time to show those hardworking, repeat-flowering summer blooms some love and find out how to overwinter begonias, the way the experts do it.
How to overwinter begonias
There are three distinct types of begonia plant to consider when you’re thinking about overwintering begonias:
Tuberous begonias
Hardy tuberous begonias
Begonia semperflorens, also known as wax begonia
Read our experts' tips on the approaches to take when overwintering the different types of begonias.
How to overwinter tuberous begonias
(Image credit: Alamy)
As part of your job list when planning a winter garden is overwintering tender plants. Learn how to overwinter tuberous begonias correctly and they will reward you with just as good a show of flowers next summer. Tuberous begonias are the larger-flowered more showy, often double-flowered varieties most often grown for container planting, but grown in flowerbeds too. This is the type of begonia that most people prize for their spectacular flowers, and it is well worth the minimal effort involved to overwinter tuberous begonias.
Award-winning begonia growers Blackmore & Langdons specialises in tuberous begonias. ‘We ship our large flowering double begonias to collectors all over the world. The flowers on some of our exhibition quality plants can reach up to 12 inches in diameter,’ says company director Nick Langdon.
When you’re growing varieties as special as this, knowing how to overwinter begonias is a must.
The technique is simple, and similar in approach to overwintering dahlias.
Reduce water
‘The autumn months are critical to the success of saving begonia tubers for use the following year. Tubers can be lost through incorrect or hurried ripening,’ says Nick Langdon of Blackmore & Langdons ‘Following their season of flowering the plants will go naturally towards dormancy. Lessen the amount of water given at this time until the leaves start to turn yellow, which can be as late as November into December. The leaves will fall of their own accord indicating the plant is ready for a rest.’
Stop watering and cut the stems down
At this stage you should no longer be watering the plants. Cut the stems down to three or four inches above the tuber. The stems will gradually fall away but don’t be tempted to force them, they will drop when ready.
Remove the tubers from their pots
Take the tubers from their pots with some stems still attached and lay them in shallow trays.
The remaining stems and soil will gradually come away but again, on no account force them as they will ripen and come away when ready. Some tubers will take longer than others but all will eventually die back.
Store for winter
There will be no sign of growth and the tubers will be plump and dry, ready for storing for the winter. Place in dry peat, a paper bag or just in open trays that allow for good airflow, tubers can sweat so be mindful that they need to be kept dry. A temperature of around 50°F (10°C) is best for storage.
Check the tubers every so often
It is advisable to check the tubers periodically for any signs of rot or pest damage, if any rot is found just remove with a sharp knife.
Tuberous begonias in flowerbeds
Tuberous begonias used as bedding plants in flowerbeds can be ripened in the same way as pot grown plants, above, advises Nick Langdon, ‘But they may be left in the garden until the first, hopefully mild, frosts touch the foliage.
When this happens, lift the tubers with a good ball of soil, place in a cool, frost proof place and wait for the stems to drop away.’ Then continue as above to store for winter.
How to overwinter hardy begonias
(Image credit: Alamy)
Hardy begonias can be grown in pots as well as in flower borders. As the name suggests, hardy begonias are more resilient to cold weather than tuberous begonias but they still require some protection. The process for overwintering hardy begonias is very simple.
In milder climates you can overwinter hardy begonias grown as bedding plants in situ outside in the ground, provided they are growing in a sheltered spot in well-drained soil. They will need to be covered with a thick mulch as they won’t survive outside without adequate protection from frosts. A variety well worth growing is Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana, above, which is hardy down to 0°C (32°F).
Pot grown hardy begonias should be brought into a cool greenhouse or frost-free shed and can then be overwintered in their pots.
Can I keep begonias in pots over winter?
Pot-grown hardy begonias will need to be brought inside for winter protection, but they can be kept in their original pots, as Emily Barbosa Fernandes, a small space gardener from California and a consultant at HouseGrail , explains: ‘Bring them in after the first frost, and set them in a cool area of your house and then slowly acclimatize them to the warmer indoor temperature. You want to keep the humidity level around 35-48% and water sparingly.’
Once the frosts are over in spring, container-grown hardy begonias can simply be placed back outside ready to flower again.
(Image credit: Future)
How to overwinter Begonia semperflorens
(Image credit: Getty )
Begonia semperflorens, also known as wax begonias, make great summer bedding plants and are usually grown as annuals. Most people don't try to overwinter them, but discard them after the first frosts and replace them every year with new plants.
Here's our gardening experts' advice on how to overwinter begonia semperflorens to enjoy them again next year.
Keep an eye on the weather and in fall, before the first frosts are forecast, dig up your begonia semperflorens plants and plant them up in containers to overwinter inside in a cool room, or keep them in a conservatory or glazed porch.
According to gardening expert Lindsey Hyland of Urban Organic Yield, The next step is to make sure that your plant has enough light and fresh air. Too much light will cause the leaves on the begonia plant to burn, but it still needs plenty of light or else it will not survive for many weeks under artificial lighting.
Emily Barbosa Fernandes of HouseGrail has had success overwintering begonia semperflorens, and says: ‘They like to be in a cool area and watered sparingly. Before planting them in the new container make sure to prune their leaves.’
She adds: ‘Begonia semperflorens don’t like being brought in and out of the cold without getting used to it so slowly acclimatize them to the warmer temperature before taking them back outside.
’
Another option, rather than overwintering the original plants, is to take cuttings from your begonia semperflorens in late summer/early fall and grow these on over winter to create new plants.
Do you cut back begonias in the winter?
Cut back begonia stems to three or four inches above the tuber in fall as you prepare to overwinter them. Do this for tuberous begonias when you bring them into a frost-free space for winter. The stems of hardy begonias, will die back naturally if you’re leaving them outside for winter under a mulch. If you’re bringing hardy begonias inside to overwinter, cut the stems back to three or four inches above the tuber before bringing them into a frost-free space.
(Image credit: Alamy)
By learning how to overwinter begonias in the right way, you should be able to enjoy their gorgeous blooms all over again next summer.
Karen is the houses editor for homesandgardens.com and homes editor for the brand’s sister titles, Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors, and an experienced writer on interiors and gardens.
She loves visiting historic houses for Period Living and writing about rural properties for Country Homes & Interiors, and working with photographers to capture all shapes and sizes of properties. Karen began her career as a sub editor at Hi-Fi News and Record Review magazine. Her move to women’s magazines came soon after, in the shape of Living magazine, which covered cookery, fashion, beauty, homes and gardening. From Living Karen moved to Ideal Home magazine, where as deputy chief sub, then chief sub, she started to really take an interest in properties, architecture, interior design and gardening.
How To Overwinter Begonias - Storing The Tubers Or Keeping Live Plants
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read full disclosure here.
Overwintering begonias is easy, and a great way to save your favorite varieties every year. In this post, I’ll talk about three different ways to do it. Then I’ll show you how to dig and store the tubers, leave them in the ground, or keep them in their pots.
Though they are most commonly sold as annuals, you can keep begonias over winter and enjoy them year after year.
This is great news, because they’re so pretty, and I hate to watch them die in the fall. Plus it saves you money, since you won’t have to buy new ones every spring.
It’s easy to overwinter begonias, and there are a few ways to do it. In this detailed guide, I will share everything you need to know in order to be successful.
I’ll explain three different methods you can try, and show you exactly how to save begonias over winter. Including leaving them in the ground, digging up and storing the tubers, or keeping them as indoor plants.
Table of Contents
Will Begonias Survive The Winter?
Yes, with the proper care, begonias will survive the winter. Though they are most commonly used as annuals, they’re actually tender perennials that can live for many years.
In the right climate, they can even stay in the ground through winter. But if yours in not hardy to the area that you live in, then you’ll have to bring them indoors in the fall.
Related Post: How To Overwinter Plants: The Complete Guide
Methods Of Overwintering Begonias
The method you choose for overwintering begonias will depend on a few things. Where you planted them, where you live, and what type you have. Here are your three options…
- Leaving begonias in the ground over winter
- Overwintering begonias in pots
- Digging up and storing begonias for winter
How To Overwinter Begonias
Before I go into the details of the different methods you can use for overwintering begonias, it’s important to understand that there are two distinct types.
One type has tubers (also called bulbs), and the other does not (referred to as “fibrous”). So, before you can decide how to keep them over winter, check the tag to see if yours is tuberous or fibrous.
1. Leaving Begonias In The Ground
As long as the type of begonia you have is hardy in your climate, then you can overwinter them right in the ground.
If they have tubers, then they’ll survive as long it stays above 50°F.
During the winter, the foliage on tuberous varieties may die back if the bulb goes dormant. In that case, cut it down to the ground.
2. Overwintering Begonias In Pots
If your begonias are in a container, you can overwinter them right in the pot. Just make sure to bring them indoors before the temperature drops below 60°F.
Fibrous varieties like rex, angel wing, and wax, can be kept alive as a houseplant through the winter. But it’s much easier to allow the ones that have bulbs, like rieger, to naturally go dormant.
3. Digging & Storing Begonias For Winter
If your tuberous begonias are planted in your garden, you can dig them up and store them over winter. But in order for that to be successful, you must lift them before the first frost.
Leaving them in the ground too long will result in frost damage, which means they probably won’t survive in storage.
Overwintering a begonia in a potPreparing Begonias For Winter Storage
In this section I am going to give you all the details about how to dig up begonia tubers, and what you need to do in order to successfully store them for winter.
If you discover that yours doesn’t have tubers, you can skip the next few sections, and learn about how to keep them as a houseplant below instead.
When To Lift Begonia Tubers
Since they are not frost hardy, you’ll need to dig up your begonia tubers before it gets too cold outside. Ideally, you should lift them before it gets below 50°F.
Don’t worry if the foliage is still alive, that’s normal. It will naturally die back as the bulbs start to go dormant.
How To Dig Up Begonias
I find it easiest to dig up my begonias using a garden fork, but a spade shovel would also work. It’s important to dig at least one foot away from the main stem, or you could wind up cutting or damaging the tubers.
Once you pop them out of the ground, gently shake or brush off the excess dirt. Don’t rinse it off though, it’s better to leave a little extra soil on them than risk having the bulbs be too wet.
Curing Begonia Tubers Before Overwintering
For best results, you should cure (dry) begonia tubers before overwintering them.
That way, there’s less risk of them rotting or molding.
First check to make sure none of them were damaged when you dug them up, and also look for signs of rot. Rotting or damaged bulbs should be discarded, as they won’t survive the winter.
Allow them to cure for a week or so before storing. To do that, simply spread them out on a shelf or the ground in an above freezing and dry location.
Red flowers on a begonia outsideHow To Store Begonia Tubers Over Winter
Storing begonias in the right place over winter is important for the best success. If yours are in pots, then you can skip the section about packing them up, because you can just store them right in the container.
Packing Begonia Tubers For Storage
Once they have had time to cure, I store my begonia tubers in a cardboard box filled with a dry packing material.
You could use a paper bag to store them instead, or something similar. But don’t use anything made out of plastic because it holds too much moisture.
I usually use peat moss, pet bedding, or coco coir as my packing medium. But, you could use saw dust, wood chips, or a mix of perlite and vermiculite.
Place each tuber into the box so they aren’t touching each other, then fill the empty spaces with your packing material. As long as they aren’t touching, you can layer several bulbs into each box.
Where To Store Begonias In Winter
Whether you packed your begonia tubers in a box, or kept them in their pots, where you store them for winter is the same.
Keep them in a cool, dry, dark location, where the temperature stays between 50-60°F.
Some examples of good places to store them are an unfinished basement, a heated garage, or even a root cellar if you have one. Learn all about storing bulbs for winter here.
Tuberous begonia in full bloom before winterBegonia Winter Care Tips
The specific details of caring for begonias in the winter depends on whether yours is tuberous or fibrous. Below are some quick tips for both.
You can learn all about how to grow begonias here.
Winter Care Of Tuberous Begonias
If you’re overwintering tuberous begonias in pots, then water sparingly (or not at all) until spring. Take great care not overwater them, or the bulbs will rot.
They may continue to send out new growth during the winter, but this will be spindly and weak. If that happens, cut off the weak sprouts as they appear, and stop watering it all together.
For those packed in boxes, just peek at them every now and then to make sure none of them are rotting or molding. If you find any that are, toss them out before it can spread to the others.
Fibrous Begonia Winter Care
Caring for fibrous begonias over winter is very similar to your other houseplants. Put them in a place where they get bright, indirect sunlight.
Keep the soil consistently moist, but take care not to overwater them or the roots will rot. Make sure they stay away from any heat sources, as they prefer indoor temps between 65-75 °F.
Moving Begonias Back Outside In The Spring
After overwintering begonias indoors, you might be very antsy to move them back outside in the spring. But, in order for all of your efforts to pay off, you must move them back out at the right time.
When Move Begonias Back Outside
Once all chance of frost has passed in the spring, it’s safe to move your begonias back outside. If you kept them alive all winter, then you’ll need to slowly acclimate them back to living outdoors.
Start by placing them in a full shade spot where they’re protected from strong wind and weather. Then slowly move them to their permanent location outside over the course of a couple of weeks.
When To Plant Begonia Tubers
On the other hand, if you overwintered begonia tubers, then you should wait to replant them in your garden until the soil has warmed to 60°F. Use a handy soil thermometer to check it.
You can start them indoors 6-8 weeks before you want to plant them outside. Soaking them in warm water or a compost tea solution can help to break their dormancy faster.
For potted bulbs, move the container to a bright location 6-8 weeks before you want to move it outside, and begin watering it.
Allow any excess water to drain from the pot, and add bottom heat to help wake it up faster.
My weeping orange begonia that I overwinter every yearFAQs About Overwintering Begonias
In this section, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about overwintering begonias. If you can’t find the answer to yours here, ask it in the comments below.
Can begonias grow indoors over winter?
Yes, begonias can grow indoors over winter. Non-tuberous (aka: fibrous) varieties can easily be kept as houseplants.
However, the ones that have bulbs will naturally go dormant during the winter. So all of the leaves and flowers will drop off.
Can you leave begonias in the garden over winter?
You can leave begonias in the garden over winter if the type you have is hardy in your zone, or it never gets below 50°F outside.
Otherwise they must be brought indoors.
How long can you store begonia tubers?
You can store begonia tubers for several months. However, don’t try to keep them in storage for too long, or they will eventually dry out and die. It’s best to plant them every year, even if you don’t get to it until later in the summer.
Can you overwinter begonias in pots?
Yes, you can overwinter begonias in pots. Fibrous types can be kept as a houseplant, while tuberous varieties should be stored dormant in a cool, dark location.
Overwintering begonias is easy, and it’s a great way to save your favorite varieties every year. And now that you know how to store tuberous begonias, you can start a collection!
If you struggle to keep indoor plants alive over winter, then you need my Winter Houseplant Care eBook. It will show you all you need to get them to thrive all year round. Download your copy today!
More Posts About Overwintering Plants
- How To Overwinter Coleus Plants Indoors
- How To Overwinter Brugmansia Plants Indoors
- How To Overwinter Sweet Potato Vines Indoors
- Overwintering Dahlias: How To Dig & Store The Tubers
- How To Overwinter Caladium Bulbs
Share your tips for overwintering begonias, or for how to store begonia tubers in the comments below.
terms and rules of digging, methods and conditions of storage of tubers, first years, care after wintering
Proper storage of tuberous begonia in winter is of interest to many novice flower growers, because the plant, due to its thermophilicity, is not able to overwinter in open ground. Therefore, during the cold season, you have to dig up begonia tubers and put them in storage, providing the plant with peace. Only with proper wintering will it be possible to count on lush flowering next season.
Contents
- 1 Preparing begonias for winter
- 2 How to store begonias in winter (video)
- 3 How to store tubers
- 4 Basics of successful care (video)
- 5 How to care for begonias after wintering 9010
-
Preparing begonias for winter
With the advent of September, all buds are removed from begonias, which will ensure the accumulation of nutrients in the tubers. After the accumulation of nutrients, a dormant period begins.
You should not rush to dig up the tubers: the plant can easily survive short-term frosts in the autumn. It should be borne in mind that this option is appropriate for adult plants with large tubers. Digging is carried out with a sharp shovel, garden fork or pitchfork, together with an earthen clod (no need to shake off the earth), while avoiding damage to tubers and roots. Tubers after excavation from the ground are sorted by size. If you follow the recommendations of experienced flower growers, then planting material less than 2 cm must be separated from large ones, since small tubers are prone to drying out. Then the tuberous begonia, together with an earthen clod, is placed in boxes and transferred to a ventilated and dry room with a temperature of + 14 ... + 16 ° C for 2 weeks, while watering should be reduced. When the shoots are completely dry, trim with a sharp pruner, leaving 2-3 cm above the ground. After 2 weeks, the tubers are cleaned from the ground, poured into boxes with peat or dry sand for further storage.
How to store begonia tubers in winter (video)
How to store tubers
How to keep begonia tubers until spring? There are several storage methods, and each grower selects the best option for himself, depending on his capabilities. Living in a private house, planting material can be stored in the basement. Peat, sand or sawdust is used as a filler for backfilling tubers. Such components will allow you to save as much planting material as possible until the spring. It is important to know that it is not worth keeping tubers in the cellar, since it has very high humidity, which will negatively affect the storage of begonias. In winter, planting material is periodically inspected to detect rot and disease.
If the begonia is grown in an apartment, then to preserve the tubers, the planting material is placed in cool places, for example, near the balcony door.
In this case, storage can be carried out in two ways: - In pots. If begonia was grown at home, then its storage is possible directly in pots. The dead aerial part is cut off, and the containers themselves are transferred to a cool place. Begonias are watered periodically in winter so that the soil does not dry out completely.
- In box or cases. Planting material is placed in a box and covered with sawdust, peat or sand. Recently, more and more vermiculite is used for these purposes, which allows you to save begonia until spring.
Potted plants will sprout in early March. At this time, the tubers are removed and transplanted into a new soil. Another option to store begonias in the winter is a refrigerator. After drying, the tubers are placed in plastic bags, in which holes are first made and filled with sawdust.
After preparing the planting material in the manner described, the bags are placed in a vegetable box, where storage will take place at the optimum temperature.
Proper overwintering of begonias is possible subject to the following rules:
- The dormant period of the flower continues until the end of February. It is not necessary to plant plants at an earlier date.
- It is best to store begonias in winter in boxes with sand, avoiding plastic bags.
- Periodically turn the tubers over. If rotting is detected, the soft parts are cut off, and the cut points are sprinkled with wood ash.
Overwintered planting material must be germinated before being planted in spring. In this case, the tubers are located at a certain distance from each other, leaving 3-4 cm above the soil (sand) surface. To obtain sprouts, the soil surface is moistened with water.
Storage of first-year tubers
Begonia tubers can be stored in different ways depending on their age. If this is a first-year seedling, then in winter the top of the young plant remains green, it does not need to be cut.
The plant in the cold period should be in a pot. Since the flower retains leaves, they need lighting. It is necessary to store young tubers in a ventilated, bright place at a temperature not higher than + 15 ° C and a humidity of more than 50%. Periodically (once every 2-3 weeks), the planting material is watered, it can be sprayed. It is important to avoid waterlogging, which will lead to decay. If the same conditions are provided for first-year tubers as for adults, then there is a high probability of their drying out. Therefore, care for young plants must be correct. Experienced flower growers recommend doing the following:
- In September stop feeding the plants.
- When laying buds with begonias in September-October, they must be cut off.
- As the topsoil dries up, watering is carried out. The soil is moistened along the contour of the container, while water should not fall on the tuber.
- Lighting is a prerequisite. With a lack of light, the stem stretches.
- In winter, begonias can be stored on the window on the east side of the house, while keeping in mind that the heating system dries the air and raises the temperature. In this case, a container of water is placed on the windowsill.
- Top dressings are excluded. In winter, the plant does not need nutrients. In case of their excess, rotting of the roots is possible.
After the nodule produces new stems, the overwintered cuttings can be cut and planted.
Essentials for successful care (video)
How to care for begonias after wintering
At the beginning of spring, begonias enter the next phase of growth: the tubers begin to sprout. Now the plants need more intensive care, which comes down to more light, moisture, which ensures rapid growth. After winter, debris and soil are removed from the planting material and placed in prepared soil.
In this case, a pot or box can be used. Each tuber should have at least 5x5 cm of area. In order for the indoor flower to germinate, the tuber is deepened into the soil, placing the back side towards the light, while only half covering them. An excellent substrate option for germinating begonias is the following composition: peat, humus (compost), rotted leaves with sand in a ratio of 1:1:1:2. After disembarkation, further care involves transferring the container to the light in a room with a temperature of + 15 ... + 18 ° C and humidity over 50%. Begonia germinates unevenly over several weeks. During this period, the plant needs protection from direct sunlight and drafts, while enclosed spaces should be avoided. Growth stimulants can be used to accelerate germination.
When the first leaves appear, the plants are taken out of the box and planted in pots. The base of the shoots should be completely covered with humus and ash. Plants are left in this state until the threat of a return frost has passed.
Some experts recommend to include periodic hardening of begonias in care, from which the plant sheds some leaves, which is considered the norm. When warm weather sets in, begonias are planted in open ground: the soil should be loose with sand content. At least 15x15 cm of area is allocated for one tuber, for large tubers - 30x30 cm. After planting, the soil is covered with humus and ash.
Soil moisture should be monitored and stagnant water should be avoided. The most useful watering is considered morning. Lush growth and development of buds is achieved by creating a humid climate. With a high bush height, care involves tying the stem to avoid damaging it. Begonia requires more attention in winter, but the magnificence of this plant is worth it. Improper storage in winter will be reflected in poor flowering in summer. Usually problems arise in novice growers. If the plants did not tolerate the winter well, then in the future you should try to avoid these mistakes.
Now you know how to store begonia tubers during the cold season and how to plant plants in the spring.
storage in winter, wintering at home, how to save
Tuberous begonia is a flower that loves warmth. They are able to survive the winter period only in the state of sleep . Since September, the flower has been preparing itself for a state of rest, shedding leaves and getting rid of the stems. Let's talk about storing tuberous begonias in winter.
Table of contents
- Features of wintering of first-year tuberous begonias
- Dormancy and awakening of tubers
- The difference between overwintering begonias indoors and outdoors
- Is it necessary to dig up for the winter?
- Preparation of tubers for storage
- Basic methods and conditions of storage in winter
Peculiarities of wintering of tuberous first-year begonias
In the first year of life, Begonia tubers are small and weak, therefore they need special care.
In winter, tuberous begonias enter a dormant period, which usually lasts from November to February
If you leave them for the winter to be stored together with adult plants, then there is a possibility of death of the first years. Young tubers are removed from the garden and placed together with an earthen clod in boxes , where the peat mixture has already been prepared. The peculiarity of the first years is that their rest period is a relative concept. Often their upper part (stems and leaves) remains green for the winter. Therefore, flowers in boxes are placed in lighting and a cool place. Watering at this time is required infrequently. It is enough to slightly moisten the soil once or twice a month. In spring, the plant again enters the stage of active growth. In April, they should be transplanted first into pots with peat, and then, closer to summer, planted in the ground.
In the second year, the plant prepares itself and consciously for hibernation, and this time in autumn by October the upper part dies off, which then must be cut off.
Dormancy and awakening of tubers
The period of dormancy or hibernation of ever-flowering begonia begins in November and lasts until the beginning of spring . With the help of this event, the plant hides from the cold. The main task of flower growers during this period is to preserve the tubers and protect them from drying out.
If the flower is stored early, she may not have time to prepare for bed, as the supply of nutrients at this time will be insufficient. Therefore, do not rush and remove the flower at the very beginning of autumn . The optimal time is the end of October - the beginning of November. The main thing is to have time before the onset of frost.
Awakening of tuberous begonia after winteringWith the onset of warm weather, namely in March - April , the flower buds swell and the flower wakes up. At this time, cuttings should be carried out and planted in a peat mixture.
A couple of months before planting, the tubers should be removed from the container in which they were stored and planted in a sprouting dish.
Tubers should be planted with the top of the tubers facing up. Usually it is concave or flat, with kidneys. Germination requires warmth, at least 18 degrees, and daily watering . In a few weeks, the first shoots will appear.
Tubers can be divided, the main thing is that each part of them has several buds. The incision site is treated with ash or charcoal. It is desirable to treat the places of cuts with charcoal.
Sprouted flowers are recommended to be planted in the open ground at the beginning of summer . The place for this should be sheltered from the wind, with fertilized soil. Direct sunlight should also not fall on the flower.
The difference between overwintering begonias at home and in the open field
Caring for indoor and garden tubers is very different. In order to properly prepare them for the winter, you should take into account some features of both :
- Tubers of outdoor begonias are much larger than those grown in pots indoors.
Garden flowers should be harvested at the onset of the first hard frost. The rule of the golden mean is important here, since the first light frosts are not able to kill the plant, so there is no need to rush either. Let the flower gain strength and prepare for hibernation on its own. The optimal time is when the leaves and stems of the plant die off by themselves. After that, the stems are cut off, and the tubers themselves are placed in a box and left so that they can dry out. After that, containers with plants are stored for storage until spring.
- Caring for a house plant in winter looks a little different . The tubers are not dug up, but remain in their pots. At the first appearance of wilting stems, they are also cut off. Watering from this point on is reduced to a minimum. In the spring, Begonia must be transplanted into new soil, after dividing it into several parts if many buds have formed on them.
When buying already sprouted homemade Begonia at the end of summer, be sure to check if the flower has tubers in the pot. Since there are annual varieties. They do not leave tubers and their life span is only one season.
Green begonia leaves must not be plucked, thereby forcibly putting the flower to rest.It is not uncommon for domestic Begonia to not shed its leaves for the winter and remain green. In this case, you do not need to cut it. The plant remains in its place until the spring transplant.
Is it necessary to dig for the winter?
Begonias are thermophilic flowers, so preparing them for winter is very important for further growth. When answering the question "is it necessary to dig it up for the winter", it is worth considering the type of plant and condition :
- Outdoor large tubers are advised by flower growers to dig up after withering and place it in a dish with peat in a cool place.
- Large tubers of domestic plants are left in pots in the same place for the whole winter.
- Germinated begonias from seeds and flowers with small tubers are also harvested and stored in a cool, well-lit place.
Preparation of tubers for storage
The result of storage and further growth depend on how well the planting material is prepared for the winter and how you take care of this plant.
First, Begonias that grow in the garden must be dug up before the first hard frosts . At this time, the upper part of the plant is cut off, while leaving stumps no less than 1 centimeter in size.
Begonia tubers should be dried before storageSecondly, the tubers are removed in a dry and cool place where they should dry. Only after they are completely dry can it be put away for storage.
It is best to dig up lubni with a pitchfork and in no case shake off the earth from them.
Home grown begonia is stored differently. Preparation for hibernation begins in October. First, watering is reduced, after a month, it is completely stopped. When the upper part of the flower fades, it is cut off. If it doesn't die, leave it as it is.
Compliance with storage rules is the key to successful wintering and further growth in the future.
Basic winter storage methods and conditions
There are several methods for storing these plants.
The most common way is in the basement . Dried begonia tubers are laid out in boxes or wooden boxes. They fall asleep from above with sifted sand and clean it in the basement. You can make a mixture of sand, peat and sawdust in equal quantities. This method is convenient for a large amount of planting material.
Do not store in the cellar due to the high humidity. This is very harmful for Begonia.
From time to time it is necessary to sort out and remove the rotten ones.
Begonia tuber material can be stored in boxes filled with peat with sand, or in a refrigerator in a plastic bag filled with peat, moss or sawdust
The second, no less popular way of storage is in apartment . The best place would be the area at the balcony door or under the window. There are two types of storage in the house:
- In the box , when the tubers are placed in them and covered with sand and sawdust.
- Potted . Flowers that grew in a pot remain in it, are cut off and transferred to a cool place. In this case, it is necessary to water the plant no more than once a month.
In the spring, after germination, transplant into new soil.
The third storage method is in the refrigerator . Suitable for small quantities of planting material. To do this, Begonia tubers are placed in plastic bags with sawdust, after making breathing holes in them.
If there is no sawdust, you can take plain paper and wrap each tuber in a separate sheet.
